New study shows that forest cover reduces costs for water providers. Increasing forest cover by 1 percent in the watershed decreases turbidity by about 3 percent.

“Effect of forest cover on water treatment costs”, US Forest Service 10-6-2017

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“America’s Tap Water: Too Much Contamination, Not Enough Reporting, Study Finds”, New York Times 5-4-2017

“Septic Systems Contaminate Drinking Water Wells on Cape Cod”, Circle of Blue WaterNews 1-28-2016

Chapter 35.88 RCW “Water Pollution—Protection From”

RCW 70.54.010 “Polluting Water Supply – Penalty”

Everett Water System for Snohomish County, WA

Latest research shows that reverse osmosis is the best water-filtration method for
pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other contamination. An undersink RO system costs $150-350. It can save you thousands of dollars in medical bills and improve your quality of life.

•  Watts Premier 531417 RO Pure Plus (VOC) Reverse Osmosis w/Brushed Nickel, Top-Mount Twist Faucet

4. Conclusions

The treatment efficiency of a pilot plant equipped with a MF membrane coupled to a RO membrane was preliminary evaluated as an alternative tertiary treatment of WWTP effluents regarding the removal of selected micropollutants. Elimination of most of the substances was incomplete in the previous conventional WWTP even after existing tertiary treatment based on UV irradiation.

In contrast, drastic removal of most of the compounds was achieved through the MF–RO system. All compounds were reduced to levels lower than 16 ng/L (highest value detected in RO permeate). This is especially important for the compounds that were not efficiently removed during conventional WWTP and were thereby still present at high concentrations (in the range of 162–240 ng/L) in the wastewater effluents, as it happened in the case of carbamazepine, diclofenac, atenolol, azythromycin and erythromycin. Reverse osmosis is thus a practical method to reduce concentrations of these recalcitrant compounds drastically (98–99% removal obtained). RO membranes act as a physical barrier that blocks many micropollutants as well as transformation products generated during wastewater treatment and that can also pose an environmental risk.

In addition, this physical treatment does not lead to the formation of contaminant byproducts, as in the case of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) or biological-based treatments, where these transformation products could also be of environmental concern. The most important benefit of water reuse for irrigation purposes of the Torroella WWTP effluents is that irrigation needs from the crop fields in the area, do not need to be covered by River Ter water, which is preferably devoted for the abstraction of drinking water for the city of Barcelona. This is particularly important in periods of water scarcity when the river flow is not enough to cover all the water demands. Water reuse can also help to control over-abstraction in wells, and eventually to increase water availability. Tertiary treatment based on membranes in Torroella de Montgrí pilot plant provided a safe option in order to obtain higher quality water although their use is not widespread due to their high cost in terms of energy consumption.

“Here is Your Chance to Safely Dispose of Prescription Drugs”, article in Everett Herald 4-28-2016

Home test for arsenic for sale at Amazon.com $31.32

First Alert WT1 Drinking Water Test Kit,  #1 best seller at Amazon.com 1 pack $14.39

Arsenic is a mineral that is commonly found in the soils, bedrock, and groundwater in Snohomish County. Drinking well water with high levels of arsenic can impact your health. EPA states that arsenic can cause skin damage or problems with circulatory systems and may increase a risk of getting cancer.

Regular water tests are recommended for all household water systems. Owners of private wells should test their drinking water based on the following recommendations:

• Drilled wells – 1 sample every 12 months
• Dug wells – 1 sample every 3 months
• Springs – 1 sample every 3 months

SNOHOMISH HEALTH DISTRICT, WATER TESTING AND FEES

EPA DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS – STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

EPA TABLE OF REGULATED DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS

AFFORDABLE SEPTIC CARE FINANCING IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY

CIRCLE OF BLUE (WEB PUBLICATION)

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends that well water be tested every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. Testing more than once a year may be warranted in special situations:

• someone in your household is pregnant or nursing
• there are unexplained illnesses in the family
• your neighbors find a dangerous contaminant in their water
• you note a change in water taste, odor, color or clarity
• there is a spill of chemicals or fuels into or near your well
• when you replace or repair any part of your well system

Where to test your drinking water:

EDGE ANALYTICAL, Bellingham WA

Am Test Lab, Kirkland WA

EVERETT ENVIRONMENTAL LAB, Everett WA

List to help identify potential problems: